Relief from long waits at the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is on the way. Starting this month, forty field offices throughout the state will now offer Saturday service, including the San Francisco location at 1377 Fell Street.
Saturday appointments can be made up to 90 days in advance on the DMV website. However, behind-the-wheel exams are not available during the weekend. At first, DMV will be open June 16th and 23rd from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; then beginning in July, those same hours will be available every first and third Saturday. The extra days twice a month aim to reduce the agency's notorious wait times.
In addition to the typical services DMV provides, this is a great opportunity for you to update your driver license or identification card and obtain a federally-compliant one called REAL ID. Beginning October 2020, anyone wishing to board a domestic flight or enter a federal facility must present this new card. A REAL ID application can only be submitted in-person. So the new Saturday hours are great news. Here's a list of documents you need to bring with you for your visit to a field office. It's important to note that you do not need a REAL ID if you won't be flying or going to a secured federal building. Also, your valid U.S. Passport is still acceptable to present as identification.
It is my hope that these additional days will not only ease the hours-long lines, but also be more convenient for many of you. I'm glad to see DMV responding to the needs of constituents after receiving feedback.
As always, please don't hesitate to call my office at 415-557-2312, if my staff can be of assistance with DMV or other state government services.
Sincerely,